Grandfather Who Experienced Heartbreak in the NICU Returns to Comfort Over 550 Babies When Their Parents Can't Be There

Following a premature birth in his family and the heartbreaking loss of a grandchild, a Kansas grandfather decided to return to the neonatal intensive care unit — this time as a comforting presence for other families.

Some people step away from the place that broke their heart, but one man chose to walk back in. In a hospital unit built for its smallest patients, a volunteer now gives them something no machine can, and he says the gift flows in both directions.

That volunteer is Terry Berggren, a Kansas-based data analyst in his 60s. He spends much of his free time at HCA Healthcare's Overland Park Regional Medical Center.

Through a program called Warm Arms, he holds newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit whose parents can't be at their side. Since joining in May 2023, he has held more than 550 babies.

A Choice Born From Loss

Berggren's path to the NICU began with his own family's experience. His oldest child was born prematurely, a time that frightened him deeply, and the family later lost a grandchild after a long NICU stay.

Afterward, he told People, he faced a choice: step away from the pain or confront it and help others going through hard moments of their own. "I chose the latter," he shared.

What Touch Can Do

Dr. Rob Holcomb, a neonatologist and the hospital's medical director, said gentle, nurturing contact from volunteers such as Berggren is an essential part of the unit's care. He explained that research shows preemies who are held and rocked see improvements in vital signs and oxygen levels.

Those gains support better neurodevelopment and growth, and they often shorten a baby's hospital stay. Holcomb stressed that nothing replaces the bond between a baby and family.

Even so, he said volunteers add real value alongside the NICU team's medical expertise, and their compassion helps both infants and parents.

An Honor for His Service

In 2026, Berggren received the Frist Humanitarian Award, one of the organization's highest honors. Created in 1971, it recognizes a colleague, nurse, physician, or volunteer whose work reflects the humanitarian values the hospital holds dear.

Berggren said the award meant more than he could express. He explained that he judges a life by kindness, trust, and love, and he sees character as the lasting legacy a person leaves behind.

Titles and achievements, he noted, can disappear overnight, while the difference you make in other people's lives remains.

Why He Keeps Coming Back

Berggren described each visit as an honor that never gets old. For a few hours, the pressure of deadlines and distractions fades, and he can slow down and be present in a deeply personal way. He called the experience grounding — a reminder of what matters most.

The benefit runs both ways. He said the work is important for his mental health, and he feels a sense of calm while in the unit and deep relaxation after he leaves. "I come here to comfort the babies, but volunteering in the NICU gives me something I need, too," he said.